Considering complexity in simple solutions: what’s so complicated about Skype?

Video-based communications technologies are not new. However, with increasing drivers for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in higher education, the use of this technology is being explored for what have traditionally been face-to-face activities. This article conceptualises the intricacies of influencing factors affecting the performance of video-based communications in student support activities. Considering video-based communication within student support as a complex adaptive system, the author aims to illustrate how a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic variables interact and impact upon individual experiences. Using an illustrative diagram, the article explores how psychology and behavioural aspects integrate with communications theory, technological experience, task objectives and social presence theory to necessitate careful consideration of individual need and purpose when planning for technological implementation

Information systems for organizational effectiveness model: a rationale alignment

Despite the proposal of various Information Systems (IS) evaluation models and approaches, IS evaluation has never been straightforward. There are issues and challenges in proving the business value of IS. Adding to the difficulty, a vast number of measures have been employed conveniently for evaluation purposes without going through a rigorous validation process. Recognising the complexity for IS researchers, IS specialists, and business managers to agree on a common model for the evaluation of IS business value, this chapter presents an empirically validated IS evaluation model, the IS for organisational effectiveness (ISOE) model, for planning, designing, implementing, and appraising IS. There also emerges a new theory, the Information System business value (ISBV) theory, from the ISOE model to establish that IS business value is multifaceted and are observable in the form of improvements in organisational effectiveness